Themes

Dr Ian MacLeod (Western Australian Museum) and Marcelle Scott (Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation) deconcreting iron corrosion products prior to further analysis and conservation at Heritage Victoria conservation labs.

MATERIALS CONSERVATION

Theme leader: A/Prof Robyn Sloggett

The research undertaken in this theme aims to evaluate conservation practices, develop new approaches to conservation and treatment, assess and respond to deterioration in cultural materials and provide advice to conservation professionals.

X-ray diffraction pattern obtained at the Australian Synchrotron on one of Dr David Jones’ team’s new materials.

 MATERIALS FOR ENERGY

Theme leader: Dr David Jones

The research in this theme explores new materials that enhance energy efficiency or provide more sustainable alternatives to existing energy-related technologies.

Deconvolution microscopy image of HeLa cells internalising nanoengineered polymer particles. The nucleus is in blue, microtubules are in green and particles are in red.

MATERIALS FOR MEDICINE

Theme leader: Prof Frank Caruso

This theme explores the interactions between biological systems and engineered materials, focusing on developing material platforms to underpin advances in drug and gene delivery vehicles and tissue engineering scaffolds.

Schematic representation of the hydrothermal growth of zinc oxide crystal from solution via an intermediate layer of zinc hydroxide which transforms to oxide via primarily solid state transformation.

MATERIALS PROCESSING

Theme leader: Prof Peter Scales

This theme covers colloid and surface science, bioengineering, biomechanics and particle  processing. It focuses on solving major biomedical, health and water challenges.

(SEM) of a triangular array of gold nanoparticles with a spot in the middle designed for hosting a collection of light emitters.

QUANTUM & NANOPHOTONIC MATERIALS

Theme leader: A/Prof Ann Roberts

This theme exploits powerful and previously untapped principles of the quantum world to create novel materials and devices, such as quantum sensors capable of monitoring sub-cellular processes.